On a cold early morning, two Rangers were summoned from their slumber as they walked out from their tents to meet with their quartermaster. Stepping into the debriefing tent, Artyom looked around to find Kuzmich sitting beside a table inspecting a map. As he stepped forward for a closer look, the map was very different from the familiar set up of stations separated by Hanza's territory. Unlike the 'cities' confined by the Metro's tunnel system, the locations were vast and unrestricted. Compared to the obstructions in the tunnels, they were not simple cave-ins or blockage from wrecked trains, but mountains. These were actual mountains.

The young man had seen these natural features of the land in books and pictures, but to see them with his own eyes made him wonder what kind of heaven did he stumble into. He had heard from the elderly about their time traveling in the Alps and admiring the sights on their own time. Now he had an actual chance to see something like these ever since he took refuge in the Metro.

Kuzmich looked up from his map and obtained their attention. "Artyom, Uhlman, it's good to see both of you here."

Uhlman expressed a loud yawn before closing his mouth. "Is there a reason why I had to get up at this time?"

"You should know better than to yawn in a middle of a debriefing, Uhlman." Then he returned to his original intent. "I've got orders from the colonel that we're going to make contact with the nearest settlement." His eyes focused on the new Ranger. "As it turns out, the people you rescued were part of a trade caravan sent to a place called… Italica. I don't know if that is how the natives pronounce it, but I'll figure it out somehow."

"Will we be getting any additional support or is it just us?"

Kuzmich nodded his head with a smile. "I knew you would ask. It turns out you'll have four additional Rangers to assist you on your journey. Since they don't know how to ride horses, they'll be providing fire support from a wagon we salvaged from that road a while back." The quartermaster answered in great detail. "As for the Rangers, you're getting some specialists in-case you encounter something that needs some hefty firepower."

Despite the comfort knowing he wouldn't be suffering alone with Uhlman's jokes, Artyom asked the important question after he saw that map. "Sir, how will we get to this settlement? We don't have any detailed knowledge aside from what's on the table. After all, this isn't the Metro."

"Good question, Artyom. One of the natives will act as a guide. You'll be relying on her to get there." His eyes stopped looking on the young man before glancing elsewhere, but Kuzmich wasn't looking at Uhlman either. "Here she is, your guide."

He turned around and recognized the woman who gave him her horse, clad in leather armor and a dark green cloak.

"Guys, meet Milena. Milena, meet Artyom and Uhlman."

The older Ranger simply waved his hand with the woman returning the same gesture. However, when Milena saw him, Artyom felt rather surprised she would be his guide. There was sense of awkwardness and relief mixed into one. "Hello." The young man replied.

Then Uhlman brought up a concerning matter. "Don't we have a language barrier with these people?"

"Of course." Kuzmich acknowledged the issue. "Thankfully, Basuda managed to pass in his section compared to everyone else."

"Did everyone else fail?"

"Yep, they were all short compared to him. It's good thing we're lucky enough to have at least one active Ranger who could understand these people."

Uhlman chuckled at the news. "Well, he's on my list of people I have to protect."

Artyom began to look at the woman and see her express a small, but shy smile. Although he couldn't consider it coincidence that she would be helping out, the young man began to ponder whether it was fate by design that she did help him. After his time with Khan, it wouldn't be an unreasonable thought to consider.

"What do we do when we get to this settlement?"

"Some of that medieval armor the refugees found managed to fill our bullet production que for a couple of months." Kuzmich answered. "However, the surplus of equipment is too much for them to scrap and it's better to hand it out to anyone who wants it. A good thing to barter with if word from the refugees are anything to go by. See if you could buy large quantities of food with them."

"When did the Metro's protectors become simple traders?"

The quartermaster shrugged his shoulder. "If we were Hanza, we would have sold the armor with interest." He said before allowing a chuckle to escape. "The other Rangers are currently preparing one of the wagons with armor, ammo, and a long-range radio. It shouldn't be long until then. They'll come to you once they're done."

After the briefing was finished, Artyom began to ask. "Are we dismissed?"

"Yep, God help you if Uhlman makes a joke from his ass."

The other Ranger laughed. "Hey, it's better than boredom."

"That's not an improvement."

When the two Rangers and Milena walked out of the tent, Artyom felt a strange headache as he fell to the ground. It was the same feeling he had when he was about to arrive at D6. What were the Dark Ones telling him. "You will understand." As their voices left him, Artyom found himself on one knee with his hand on his head.

Then Uhlman came up to him. "Hey! What's wrong?" Before helping him up.

As the feeling in his head slowly faded away, he shook his head of the feeling. "It's the Dark Ones. They're doing something and I don't know why?"

"Dark Ones, they're probably trying to infect you like a goddamn worm."

A woman's voice spoke, enough to garner their attention. "Excuse me, but are you okay?"

Artyom turned around to look for the very person who said that; however, it was Milena standing beside him. "You could understand that?"

She nodded her head. "Of course, you spoke in the Imperial tongue."

Then Uhlman noted the young man's understanding. "Do you mind telling me how the hell you were able to understand her?"

"Uhlman, I have no idea."

The heavily armored Ranger mounted the DShK onto the rear of the wagon before he chuckled at the sight. "Who would have thought I would lived to see the day I'd be doing this for a living." He stated.

Another climbed up onto the wagon and pat him on the shoulder. "You should consider yourself lucky, Alexsandr. You get to have all of the fun to yourself while I have to drive the damn thing. Hell, I've only got a few hours of practice."

"Don't put yourself short, Timur. It's better than worrying about Maxim getting his fingers jammed in my gun."

"I heard Shuhrat is going to be in the other wagon, keeping contact with the base camp. Can't believe he's getting the duty of a radio operator. The guy barely speaks."

Alexsandr shook his head. "True, but knowing the guy he'll do just fine. Just do your job and he'll do his."

Two more Rangers joined them, one climbed onto the covered wagon beside them while the other climbed up to join the others. "I hope you guys did what I told you about the wagon's armor."

"Maxim, it's good to see you after you're beauty sleep." The armored man replied. "At least, I don't brood in the corner with your hood on."

"Up yours, I've been busy drilling the armor on while you and the others were fucking about."

Then Timur joined their conversation as he held the reigns of the horses in his seat. "Did you guys hear that Artyom is going to accompany us?"

Alexsandr and Maxim turned their gaze upon the youngest of the four. "Have you been paying attention to the briefings?" The heavily armored Ranger questioned.

"Well, I did snooze off in the back."

"How the hell did Kuzmich not catch you?"

"His little lurker ran off and he ran through the women's changing rooms." The sniper answered. "He was lucky they didn't castrate him for that."

"They know they're under our protection."

"That protection can go so far to protect a man when he's offended a woman."

Their conversation ended when a brunette in a cloak walked up to the merchandise wagon and grabbed the horses' reins.

"Who is she?" Timur wondered. "She looks pretty to be part of our company.

Then Maxim was quick to answer as he sat atop of a crate beside the mounted machine gun. "She's our guide. Don't distract her and it will become a simple pickup."

Those words alone earned a snicker from the quiet Shuhrat beside the radio, Timur, and Alexsandr.

"What?" He asked.

Then the heavily armored Russian spoke. "My friend, you just jinxed us."

"Are you three that superstitious about that 'Ranger talk' about those two words."

"My experience says otherwise." Alexsandr replied. "We're in for one wild ride."

"Bullshit."

"You'll as soon as things go to shit."

Two riders pulled up before the group as the Rangers greeted each other with a wave of their hand.

"Artyom, Uhlman, it's good to see you." Timur began. "Would have been nice if you turned the Dark Ones into crisp."

Then Shuhrat spoke up. "Still has more balls than you do." Just as he quickly spoke up, the Ranger became silent behind the radio.

One of the riders rode forward and smiled. "Alright people, you know what you're in for. Head to a settlement called Italica, make some quick money if possible, and return to base as soon as possible. Understand?"

Nothing, but silence.

"Good, let's move out." Uhlman replied. "Artyom and I will lead the way, Milena will follow then you guys cover our rear. Let's go, kid." Then he took his reins and turned away from the group before the other rider followed after him. "Off to adventure, like good 'ole stalkers!"

Ever since his company was reduced by a single man by those foreigners from another world, Severus wanted to leave. However, the armor his fallen brethren had was valuable and would save his company extra coin if they recruited more into the ranks. Before the slaves could salvage it, they ran off with the armor and went into the woods. Such an insult needed to be paid in blood. He was not going to be reduced to banditry by his own servants.

Small patrols were sent to salvage the armor, but were missing when they discovered the bodies. They were not the only ones salvaging equipment off the battlefields. The only other people who could take advantage of the chaotic times of war were marauders looking to arm themselves with better equipment. Sadly, none were found by the other companies scavenging the land and nearby villages for supplies and women.

One single moment, the captain finally found the enemy that killed his employer at Alnus Hill. They were unlike anything he had ever seen before. These strangers were clad in armor and carried staffs with them. Were they an army of battle mages? It was possible, but this was training-intensive if the books were correct about their use. These trade-offs were what kept the Empire and many others into smaller armies with magical powers.

Perhaps these foreigners managed to find a balance and had the means to impress mages into military service?

As his eyes watched the small convoy from a nearby hill, Captain Adranos considered his options of attack. Take the risk of attacking them now and kill them for taking his belongings or get help from the others and be partially satisfied with their deaths. The commander weighed these options in his mind.

The enemy was right there, waiting for him to plunder their belongings and take back what was his. Maybe sending in the others to die for him would do some good? Decisions, decisions.

However, Severus thought about his men who died to that single man during the night and allowed previous experience to take over. "Return to the main camp and ask anyone who would volunteer to attack this particular convoy." Without question, an armored rider beside him turned away and left his force. This was the closest he had to learning about the enemy that killed all those men on Alnus Hill. Maybe he could divulge this information for a cost.

Wearing black underneath a sunny day like this didn't help Artyom as his sweat made him feel like the ice from the Dead City was melting. He had to pull up his sleeves just to compensate for that. Then Uhlman slowed down to join him. "Ah, I see you're not the only one burning like a pot of mushrooms."

Artyom chuckled. "Very funny Uhlman."

"Now that we're alone, can you explain what the Dark Ones did to you?" He wondered.

"They said something about understanding, but I don't know why they would do that."

"You can't even explain that, huh?" Then he leaned closer. "Don't tell, Maxim, he'll give an earful since he's the only one who knows the language through normal means."

"I know he wouldn't appreciate that he's no longer special to know the language when I have the Dark Ones to cheat for me."

"Yeah, just try not to talk, okay?"

Artyom looked over his shoulder and glanced over at a curious Milena, who was looking back at Shuhrat on the radio. "What about her? She knows I can understand. It's hard not to look suspicious to Maxim if she knows."

"My friend, that's your problem, not mine." Then he chuckled.

Off in the distance, a loud horn was blown before silence followed after it. There were many things he was used to hearing, gunfire, shouting soldiers, and explosions. However, this was different and a gut feeling made him feel suspicious about why it was blown. "Did you hear that?"

Uhlman halted his horse. "Yes. I don't like it one bit." He glanced over to the armored wagon in the rear. "Maxim! Tell the girl to get the horses moving."

The hooded Ranger stood up from his wagon. "Why? What's wrong?"

"We might have company and it might not be the friendly sort." Then he looked at Artyom. "Let me give a bit of advice Artyom, the horses might get scared of the gunfire and they might panic and leave us if things get out of hand. If either of us gets captured, you know what must be done."

Artyom knew what his senior companion was referring to. He had seen the Rangers show their last act of defiance when it was clear they were not going to survive. Hopefully, it would never come to that.

Then he heard the heavily armored Ranger shout out. "Belts are ready and Dushka is steady."

The group was alerted by a loud battle cry that soon followed. Looking around, the young man drew his sub-machine gun and joined Uhlman in protecting what brought them out in the first place.

On the left side of the road, two dozen horses stepped out of the golden fields with their riders mounting the beasts. It was clear they were waiting for them. However, they would lose their lives to the Rangers despite their lower numerical strength. Could there be a chance to be at peace with these people? The thoughts left his mind when he heard the heavy machine gun on the armored wagon fired away.

His horse whined in surprised ever since it was exposed to the sounds of fighting. Artyom couldn't blame the beast, but he knew comforting it was a luxury he couldn't afford.

Ever since they departed from Alnus Hill, Itami was filled with boredom as the elf and the young mage were getting to know the rest of the platoon. However, they were conversing with Sergeant Kuwahara as he remained close to the radio. It was weird to see the man who was harsh during boot camp become this grandfather figure to these girls.

The reason for their platoon's departure was to sell all of those dragon scales the refugees had looted off the corpses during the first battles. He couldn't blame them, it was that or… perhaps it was better not to think about it.

Although the Empire showed no signs of being able to intercept radio transmissions, the general in charge of the entire operation in the Special Region didn't want any unnecessary chatter. However, what sparked on his radio surprised him despite the static cutting off the transmission.

As soon as the lieutenant of the Third Recon Team heard the words, he couldn't believe it. The Gate was only given access to the JSDF, but no other armies on Earth. Yet, he was able to hear Russian words shouting on the radio before gunfire followed. How did the Russians get into the Special Region? Were they hiding a Gate from the rest of the world?

Author's Note: I apologize if I took my sweet time making a chapter, but I got so caught up with Mojave Roulette that I almost forgot.

Now there is a reference inside and I hope someone can figure it out.

Psihopatul: It's good enough for me.

Assistant Elite General Matteo: It was actually the Polis Guard Commander.

Lt. Frostdromeda: Blue people, don't you mean the men in black.

Rankin de Merthyr: After my series of Gate fics that didn't go anywhere, I decided against the curbstomp due to myself writing into a corner. I must also mention, typing too many curbstomps got boring.

SabereCommander: Although I appear to be leaving out the details, I'm also cross posting this from SpaceBattles. Given that most of those posters have other matters to attend to, I'm appealing to their usual word count. There have been possibilities of putting more details in, but I must reach past ten chapters to see if people are still willing to read my content. (Mostly on SB)

Guest: Lest you desire that I procrastinate, I wouldn't be so keen on the "please update" phrase or other similar sayings.